Hello there!

My name is Nique Tan and I come from Singapore.

I am just about to release a routine of mine called "ChairLess". It is a chair prediction type of routine, one that I've been performing for about two and a half years in my shows. Just before I release the ebook however, I'd like to give out 5 copies to the members here on the Café to review.

I do understand that not everyone fancies or performs this type of routine, but if you are interested, and can spare me just a little of your time to go through and understand the routine, please drop me a PM and I will do my best to send you your copy of the routine as soon as I can.

Much thanks in advance,

~ Nique.

Nique was very kind to send me a copy and I have to say that he has done really a good job with that!
:)
good luck my friend!

Hey guys,

Nique kindly sent me this, and he has mixed many methods from different performers and made this his own.

Very good effect and method.

If you were ever afraid, or just didn't feel like a chair test was powerful, think again.

Niques method will have you wanting to perform this.

Great job Nique!

Alex

Thanks Luca and Alex for your kind words!

My apologies as well to all other members who've expressed interest in the routine; unfortunately the 5 review copies have been sent out.

Thanks to the guys sparing their time in going through the ebook.

Pm'ed you.

Greg Arce has so kindly gone through the routine and has given me permission to post his thoughts here!

"Nique has come up with a very well constructed chair routine... that doesn't involve chairs. He has taken some tried and true methods and blended them into a worker routine. I'm sure many will be pleased with this routine. The bonus here is that it packs flat yet plays very big and doesn't require you to carry around a bunch of chairs."

As an update, some of you have asked about the release of the ebook. I'm currently waiting for all my reviewers to suggest improvements for the writing of the ebook; will keep you all posted!

~ Nique

Nique was kind enough to send me a review copy yesterday though it is only this morning that I have had time to examine it. What I like about it most is that it combines the best of a traditional like chair routine with props that are easily constructed and not heavy or awkward to carry around. It is, for the most part, a stage effect. I like the use of frame boards instead of chairs.

There is some preparartion required but it need only be done once. The method is not difficult as there is only one move or sleight involved which, quite frankly, is unneccessary. One could easily do the routine without it and it would still pack a formidable punch.

I have no hesitation in recommending this, especially if you have always wanted a chair routine without the extra work involved in preparing and transporting chairs.

I have just finished reading Chairless.

It's well written and very clearly explained.
It's very definitely Pack Small, Play Big
It's a chair test without chairs, whatever next?

As has been mentioned there are no new methods here, rather a new mix of various methods used in many other effects of this nature
So what? The Beatles never used any notes that Mozart hadn't had access to.
It's how the ingredients are mixed that determines the taste of the final dish, and this is a tasty dish.

The props are simple and can be made up for very little outlay
The method/methods is/are simple and require no difficult moves

It can fill a stage for a good 10 minutes. And, with a little thought, could be played to a smaller audience if you don't do much stage work.

There is one part that I may alter to suit me, but that is purely my own choice and not necessary at all.

Recommended wholeheartedly
well done Nique

RegardsSteve

Hi guys!

The ebook is almost about ready for release in a day or so; am going through it a couple more times, making some edits and additions suggested by some other performers, to make the descriptions more complete.

I really want to thank all who have taken the time to go through the routine thus far. Again, the response to review the routine has been really overwhelming and I am genuinely surprised! Many have continued to email me, kindly offering to review the routine, and I while I do not wish to turn you guys down, I really can't give out anymore copies. I really hope you all understand - please don't hate me for it!

Till then, for those of you who have any questions about ChairLess, please feel free to fire away and I'll answer them as best as I can.

~ Nique.

The e-book is nicely structured, easy to read and follow. A nice introduction and Nique seems like a good guy.
Plenty of photo's are provided and he covers all the details. What I like most is Nique knows what he's talking about.
With all the e-books that continuously pop out, it's always nice to see one with experience and understanding.

Personally I'd prefer using chairs if I were to do this. I don't understand anyone hauling chairs around to perform a chair routine. If the venue has no suitable chairs I'd simply use something else but for whatever reason those that do carry chairs around will be happy, as this effect solves that load for you.

From an entertainer perspective I think it is too much. I believe in simple and direct effects. I imagine this one could get confusing for some audiences as it overloads them with letters, numbers, colors, folded writing, mixing, switching envelopes, several phases etc, there is simply a lot for an audience member to keep up with.
That is my personal opinion and as you can see it is not a concern from the other reviewers.

In the end I think many will like this effect “as is” (and use it “as is”).
I also think this e-book will appeal to most anyone and I would surely enjoy reading more by Nique.

Hi lostpoet!

I do agree that using chairs will make the routine look better, and perhaps play even bigger.

My initial idea whilst developing ChairLess was to bring my own seat cushions (with the setup already in them), and then just use any chairs that were available at the event. Unfortunately I usually work alone, and so would need to be able to set up or remove anything quickly on stage. I settled with the props as outlined in the routine.

That said, I did ask lostpoet to post some of the cons as well in this thread (thank you for taking time to do so!), so as to help anyone interested in this routine to make an educated purchase decision.

Anyways, the "ChairLess" ebook is ready for release, and it is priced at USD$35. Please see my signature for details!

Let me know if anyone's got any more questions!

~ Nique

Hi Nique.

I see you use chairs in the video, but is ChairLess almost the same routine?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlFvxY9PE7o

Hi voh002!

ChairLess is a different routine. The routine you're referring to isn't the one that I regularly perform; that routine was put together for my theatre show that I did last year. There's just too much work in terms of logistics and effects for me to use in my commercial shows. Looking back at that performance now, I believe I did too much!

That said, there are some similarities in both routines.

In ChairLess, there are 3 distinct reveals which I believe deliver 3 nice beats for a routine of this sort.

You have a number reveal (as in a prediction of sorts), a positional reveal (of who's standing where), as well as a final colour matching effect as per what you see in the link you posted.

I hope that helps!

~ Nique

Ok. Thank you for the info. I will check out "ChairLess". It sounds like a nice routine.

Voh002, thank you and I do hope you enjoy the routine.

Response to the routine has been great so far and I am really glad (and relieved too!).
Here are some other kind gentlemen who've granted me permission to post their thoughts here on "ChairLess".

"A clever effect that genuinely plays big, so many layers and moments that will leave any audience perplexed." - Marc Spelmann

"Nique has created a strong routine, that is very portable, well thought out and very solid. His manuscript is clear, illustrated and informative. If you enjoy chair tests, you will enjoy this." - Chris Rawlins

Wow, great testimonial by Marc - I couldn't have said it better ;-)

Love your routine, Nique... and I think I may say that I know quite a lot of chair predictions.

Best regards

Stefan

First of all I just want to say that Nique has an excellent service.

I haven´t performed a chair prediction yet, and like Stefan I have read a lot of chair predictions. This is probably the routine I like the most and will actually perform if I want to include such routine in my show. It packs small, and have 3 mind-blowing revelations and it is easy to do. The instructions on the pdf is well written and nicely explained. If you want to perform a chair prediction, you must definitely check this out. Honestly!

Nique was not sure if release this routine then I conviced him that was going to be great...I am now happy to see that has received many good reviews...BRAVO!
:)

Stefan - Thanks for your kind words on the routine!
voh002 - I'm glad you like the routine. Do let me know if there's anything you'd like to discuss further about the routine.
Luca - Thank you for your encouragement early on in this release!

Just to clarify, this isn't an instant download; I send out each copy personally to you after you make your purchase, so do be patient. I usually get back to you really quick though.
PM or email me to place your order.

Do feel free to shoot me any questions you guys may have about ChairLess.

~ Nique.

I had an opportunity to review this also and am pleased to add my voice to the positive reports this far posted. It's a great routine with an easy, one-time set up, a well paced series of climaxes, and is profound in its simplicity. The books itself is well presented and easy to read, and this is a real worker. Congratulations on a job well done, Nique!